Manor still determined to return in 2015 – boss

The former Marussia team has confirmed reports it has not given up on returning to formula one in 2015.

Looking to exit administration with new investors, and now called Manor F1 Team, the newly Dinnington-based outfit hit a roadblock on Thursday when the strategy group blocked its application to use a 2014 car this year.

But boss Graeme Lowdon hit back at those reports, including rival Force India chief Bob Fernley’s claim that the way Manor tried to gain the approval of the powerful strategy group in Paris was a “poor show”.

“We are doing everything possible to adhere to the process set out for us to return,” Lowdon insisted late on Friday.

“This is a fantastic good news story for the whole sport and we just want to go racing.”

Lowdon said he was most “surprised” to hear about Fernley’s comments, hitting back that Manor in fact did not even make a presentation to the strategy group.

“We did not make any application to the strategy group meeting and nor were we asked to,” he confirmed.

He did, however, admit that Manor is still trying to gain its rivals’ unanimous consent to field its old car this year and is still “actively engaged in achieving this”.

“This process involves providing all relevant information to the teams to allow them to fully consider its request,” said Lowdon.

So he said the team is working hard on preparing its 2014 cars, and at the same time “pressing on with the development of its 2015 car to ensure it can supersede the 2014 car as soon as possible”. (GMM)